talks about the dynamics of the role and how he handled the part.
Saif Ali Khan, who plays a blind man in Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan, talks about the dynamics of the role and how he handled the part.
This is the first time you’re playing a blind person. How did you find it?
I’m super-excited. It’s the best role I’ve had in ages, if not ever! It’s a very heroic part. He is blind, but not at all helpless. He is out to save a little girl.
How hard was it?
I got the simplest and most wonderful piece of direction—Priyan told me, ‘Open your eyes wide and pretend you can’t see.’ I think with practice it became easier. We didn’t overthink it. I haven’t seen the film, so I can’t tell you how I’ve done, but I really enjoyed trying. It was a really fun adventure every day. The part with the action, given the special abilities he has, was great fun. The trick was to play him as quite normal, even understated.
Did you take inspiration from Naseeruddin Shah in Sparsh?
This is a commercial film. In my head there was a lot of Japanese blind swordsmen.
What was it like re-uniting with Akshay Kumar after Main Khiladi Tu Anari?, Who was the Khiladi and who the Anari this time?
We did Tashan in-between. It was great fun with Akshay. Priyan is in total control of his set and actors, so it was a real pleasure to have defined parts and him directing us. This time there is no Anari… at least, I hope not! Both of us have fab parts. I started my career playing very cute and funny parts while Akshay played tougher guys. This time my character is a tough guy too. It’s nice to have grown into that.
Would you say there is a constant competitiveness between two male co-stars?
I think acting is a competitive business. You compete for your character to be heard, for your point of view to win. You want to be the best in every scene. But it’s a healthy thing. After some years in the business, you realise everyone has to be fab for the film to be good and then everyone benefits. So you end up respecting co-stars for being good at their job.
“I started my career playing very cute and funny parts while Akshay played tougher guys. This time my character is a tough guy too. It’s nice to have grown into that. This time there is no anari...at least, I hope not!”
